Description
A western classic that's only getting better with age.
During both big western storms and long sunny stretches of Rocky Mountain weather, the Volkl Gotma Ski carves aggressively solid arcs down any aspect, angle, or elevation of your home resort playground. For true all-mountain, all-weather chargers, this is a one-quiver ski that's worth its salt—the Gotama has proven itself time and time again as THE versatile big-mountain plank. Now fully rockered, this ski's floatation comes easy during deep storm days while the engineered ELP shape allows powerful edging as you dig into choppy groomers and windblown bowls.
- Fully rockered profile and 107mm underfoot provide flotation and smearable turns in the deepest snow
- Extended Low Profile (ELP) rockered shape engages your edges with the snow
- Multi-Layer Sensorwood core, made with vertically laminated poplar and beech wood, provides a stable but forgiving and responsive flex for the whole gamut of snow conditions
- Carbon reinforcement adds stability without lots of weight for busting through crud and crusty powder while also providing stability on the choppy groomers
- Power / Tough Box Construction, a form of torsion box construction, yields powerful stability through its race-worthy vertical sidewalls
- Just enough sidecut means the Gotma turns easily, especially as you lean into turns
- Large sidecut means that this ski wants to go fast and make big, powerful turns
Terms And Conditions
This Usage Agreement (the "Agreement") governs your conduct while using various services on the web site Backcountry.com and its affiliate web sites (collectively, the "Site"). All references to "we," "us," and "our" shall mean Backcountry.com and all references to "you" and "your" shall mean the user of the Site and Site Services. This Agreement applies to various services and activities on the Site as well as to gear review and product ratings (collectively, "Site Services"). Please read this Agreement carefully.
BY ACCESSING, BROWSING, AND USING THE SITE, ANY SITE SERVICES AND OTHER SERVICES THEREIN, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATION THEREOF, DO NOT ACCESS, BROWSE OR OTHERWISE USE THE SITE OR SITE SERVICES, INCLUDING THE SUBMISSION OF ANY REVIEWS OR COMMENTS.
Your use of the Site is governed by this Agreement and any other agreements and/or terms of use adopted by Backcountry.com and/or its affiliates. This Agreement shall govern in the event of, and to the extent of, any inconsistency with the Site. For more information on our privacy practices, read the Privacy Policy to understand our practices regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information on the Site and with respect to Site Services.
Any comments, reviews (including gear reviews and product ratings), posts, feedback, questions, answers, notes, messages, images, video, audio, materials, documents, data, graphics, ideas, suggestions or other communications (collectively, "User Content") you submit on the Site are not private or proprietary. By submitting User Content on or through the Site, you grant, assign and transfer to Backcountry.com all of your rights, title and interest, including without limitation, all intellectual property rights and moral rights, in and to such User Content. To the extent the preceding assignment and transfer is ineffective, you hereby grant Backcountry.com an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual right and license to use, copy, modify, adapt, display, publish, archive, store, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works based upon such User Content, in any form, media, software or technology of any kind now existing or developed in the future.
By submitting such User Content on or through the Site, you are confirming that (a) you are the sole author of the User Content and the User Content originated with you and not copied in whole or in part from any other work; (b) you have obtained all necessary permissions associated with the User Content, including without limitation permissions relating to copyrights, trademarks, rights of publicity and/or rights of privacy; (c) the User Content does not contain hate speech or profanity and is not unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, libelous, obscene, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable, an invasion of another's privacy, or otherwise in violation of this Agreement; (d) that you are not a minor and have the legal right and capacity to enter into and comply with this Agreement; (e) such User Content does not and will not, in any way, violate or breach any of the terms of this Agreement; and (f) Backcountry.com shall not in any circumstances be required to pay or incur any sums to any person or entity as a result of its use or exploitation of the User Content.
With respect to your conduct on the Site or while using the Site Services, you agree not to: (a) attempt to disguise the origin of any User Content transmitted to the Site Services whether through the Site or any third party site; (b) act in any manner that negatively affects other users' ability to use the Site and Site Services; (c) impersonate any person or entity, including without limitation, a manufacturer or owner of any product, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity; (d) interfere with the Site or Site Services, or servers or networks connected to the Site or Site Services, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies, or regulations of networks connected to the Site or Site Services; (e) upload, post, or otherwise transmit any User Content that with respect to the Site Services: (i) is not relevant to the product, service, person or entity being reviewed; (ii) you do not have a right to transmit under any law or under contractual or fiduciary relationships (by way of example but not limitation, inside information, proprietary and confidential information learned or disclosed as part of employment relationships or under nondisclosure agreements); (iii) contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment; or (iv) is unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation.
By submitting any such User Content on or through the Site, you grant Backcountry.com permission to use your name, alias and any other information (as provided by you) to attribute such User Content to you. Without limiting the generality of the previous sentence, and subject to our Privacy Policy, you authorize Backcountry.com, its affiliates, and sublicensees to share the User Content across all affiliated Web sites, and to use your name and any other information in connection with its use of such User Content, as they may choose. You also grant Backcountry.com and its affiliates the right to use any material, information, ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques contained in such User Content. We are not responsible for the similarity of any of our Content or programming in any media to User Content submitted by you. Any and all rights granted in this section are granted without the need for any compensation to you in any form.
User Content does not reflect the views of Backcountry.com, and Backcountry.com does not represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, integrity, quality or reliability of any User Content, nor does Backcountry.com endorse or support any opinions expressed in any User Content. In no event shall Backcountry.com have or be construed to have any responsibility or liability for or in connection with any User Content, Any gear reviews and/or product ratings submitted on the Site, if displayed, are displayed for entertainment and informational purposes only. Under no circumstances will Backcountry.com be liable in any way for any User Content, including but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any User Content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any User Content posted, emailed or otherwise transmitted via the Site or Site Services.
If Backcountry.com determines, in our sole and absolute discretion, that you or any User Content you submit violates this Agreement, we reserve the right, at any time, without notice and without limiting any and all other rights Backcountry.com may have under this Agreement, to: (a) refuse to allow you to submit further User Content; (b) remove and delete your User Content; (c) revoke your registration and right to use the User Content Submission Features; and (d) use any technological, legal, operational or other means available to enforce the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, blocking specific IP addresses or deactivating your registration, access to the Site and Site Services using your e-mail address, and your user name and password. Without limiting the foregoing, once User Content is submitted to the Site, Backcountry.com may take any or no action with respect to such User Content, including without limitation, deleting, editing, modifying, rejecting, or refusing to post such User Content, but is under no obligation to offer you the opportunity to edit, delete or otherwise modify User Content once it has been submitted. Backcountry.com shall have no duty to attribute authorship of User Content to you and shall not be obligated to enforce any form of attribution by third parties.
If, despite the foregoing assignment and transfer of rights in the User Content, it is determined that you retain moral rights (including the rights of attribution or integrity) in the User Content, you hereby declare that: (a) you do not require that any personally identifying information be used in connection with the User Content or any derivative works of or upgrades or updates thereto; (b) you have no objection to the publication, use, modification, deletion and exploitation of the User Content by Backcountry.com or its licensees, successors or assigns; (c) you forever waive and agree not to claim or assert any entitlement to any and all moral rights of an author in any of the User Content; and (d) you forever release Backcountry.com, and its licensees, successors and assigns from any claims that you could otherwise assert against Backcountry.com by virtue of any such moral rights.
You are prohibited from violating the security of any system or network compromising the Site or the Site Services, including but not limited to the following: (a) unauthorized access to or use of data, systems, or networks, including any attempt to probe, scan or test the vulnerability of the Site or Site Services or to breach security or authentication measures; (b) unauthorized monitoring of data or traffic on the Site or of the Site Services; (c) interference with the Site or Site Services including without limitation, any type of flooding technique or deliberate attempt to overload the system such as denial or service attacks; (d) forging of a message header or any part of a message header; or (e) using manual or electronic means to avoid any use or access limitation placed on this Site or the Site Services. Such violations may result in criminal or civil liability.
Backcountry.com reserves the right to report any activity or persons that Backcountry.com suspects has violated any law or regulation to appropriate law enforcement officials, regulators, or other appropriate third parties (including the disclosure of appropriate subscriber information). Backcountry.com may also cooperate with appropriate law enforcement agencies to assist in the investigation and prosecution of any illegal conduct. Indirect or attempted violations of this Agreement and actual or attempted violations thereof by a third party on behalf of any user shall be considered violations of this Agreement by such user.
BACKCOUNTRY.COM DOES NOT ENDORSE THE USER CONTENT, IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE USER CONTENT AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, PERSONS WHO MAY USE OR RELY ON SUCH USER CONTENT) FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE (WHETHER ACTUAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR OTHERWISE), INJURY, CLAIM, LIABILITY OR OTHER CAUSE OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER BASED UPON OR RESULTING FROM ANY USER CONTENT PROVIDED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.
Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Volkl Gotama Ski
? Share a...
The Goats.
Nat Segal
Member since
I've been skiing on these for the last two and a half years. I've had them set up with a Marker F12 as touring/sidecountry ski which has worked really well. They are great in all kinds of conditions butI think they excel off piste in pow and crud. They are a little heavier than a lightweight set up but the weight is worth it for the skiing performance. I also ride them quite a lot in early season, I love hitting little booters on them and I sometimes take them through the park- they can handle it.
I am wanting to compare the weight of the...
inittowin
Member since
I am wanting to compare the weight of the Gotama to the Blizzard Cochise.
I am/was a hard charging skier with racing background, but at 56 and aging knees, I am looking for a ski easier to swing in the powder and trees.
I'm 25, 6'3", 215 lbs and raced for 8...
Tyl5142709
Member since
I'm 25, 6'3", 215 lbs and raced for 8 seasons in my early/mid teens, but still like to rip groomers and big tree lines. I've got a pair of RTM 84s in a 181cm that I use almost 100% of the time and a pair of Kuros in a 195cm that unfortunately don't get to see much time due to the lack deep stuff in Tahoe for the past 2 years (minus this Xmas...the Kuros were too sick).
I'm looking for something in the middle, probably in the 105 - 115mm range at the waist. Should I got with the 186cm Gotamas or something else? Thanks
chup27236
Member since
I'm shorter and lighter than you - 5'7" 169, and for the most part, really enjoy arcing on GS sticks and racing. Having said that, really enjoy the Gotamas (I've only ridden the recent versions with the ELP). I've tried the older Mantras, and the JJ's, Super7's and the Bodacious. The JJ's are a bit easier on super deep days, but you've got the Kuros. I prefer the traditional camber feel and find the Gotamas and the Bodacious have that "race ski" feel which I prefer, but with enough reverse camber to really throw it around off piste from 2" to 26"days (ride both in PA and in UT). Both grip and rip on groomers, but also super playful off piste - perhaps not as smeary as the JJ's and S7's, but loose enough to easily adjust your line on the fly - likely similar to how the Kuros are. There's tip flap with riding the Goats flat, but very calm when GSing short, medium, and large radius turns.
Like I'm sure you've already read, the Goats are a great one ski quiver.
Hope that helps.
looking at gotamas for front/backcountry....
JB
Member since
looking at gotamas for front/backcountry. demoed and really liked them. wondering if line 100's will offer performance that I should consider. I have seen them used, with BC bindings. powder, crud, moguls, corduroy,, etc.
where do you recommend mounting these? I...
Dave
Member since
where do you recommend mounting these? I have read volkl typically mounts towards the back on their center point marking. I would be looking to use this as an all mtn to powder ski, not as much in the park as I do already have a pair dedicated for that.
kylp22935
Member since
I ski the 2012 model mounted with Marker Schizo bindings. These allow me to adjust the mounting position between -4 and +4 on the fly. After playing around for a season, I've decided that -1 is perfect in all conditions. I'm 6'3", 185 lbs and ski the 186 model and at -1 I've had enough float skiing in 30 inches of pow at baker, yet they still rip the groomers at that mounting point.
Trying to decide between the Gotamas,...
mwap331903
Member since
Trying to decide between the Gotamas, Blizzard Cochise, Armada TST or JJ. I'm 33, 6'1, 210 lbs, former racer. I would use them most of the time, except if it was hard and hadn't snowed for a week or so (still have my old skis that carve great). Im really hoping for soemthing that will be easier in the deep snow but not be so specific that I'll hardly ever ski on them. Any recommendations?
Mark Parrett
Member since
Cochise. If you are a former racer, I think you'll really like the feel of that ski. It is occasionally a bit much for someone who doesn't like to drive a ski and prefers to slash and pivot, but of that list I'd pick the Cochise every time for someone like you, even more so if you aren't planning to only bring it out on powder days (in which case I might lean towards the JJ on that list, or the Blizzard Bodacious). I'm having a great winter on my Atomic Automatics, but I feel like they should remain a dedicated pow ski so I say buy the Cochise and prepare to fall in love.
mwap331903
Member since
Thanks, What length would you recommend?
hi i am 6'4"250 and 55 i have love my...
Randy Merryman
Member since
hi i am 6'4"250 and 55 i have love my volkl 724s but want a pair of gotamas but im not sure what bindings to buy with them my 724s came with bindings
Brian Campbell
Member since
I would suggest the Marker Jester....big and bombproof.......
Jamie Preston
Member since
Consider Jester Pro at your size
Great one ski quiver!
Cameron Wilkins
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
i love this ski! if you are looking for a reliable one ski quiver then look no further! floats on the pow even tho it has a slimmer waist, holds a very solid edge on groomers and in the moguls. all around a great ski.
Mark, Thanks for your thoughts and guidance...
K Hughes
Member since
Mark, Thanks for your thoughts and guidance as that makes me lean toward Gotama. Any thoughts / experience / preference on Gotama vs. Salo Rocker 2 108?
Thanks in advance.
Mark Parrett
Member since
K - I find the Rocker2 108 to be way too soft for my preferences. I like a stiffer ski,and that particular Rocker2 felt very noodly to me (to be fair I took 3 runs on it at a demo day). I love the shape of the Rocker2 and prefer the tapered tip and tails to a more tradditional shape, but for me the stiffer flex on the Gotama is more important. Another ski that fits what you are suggesting is the Blizzard Cochise. Totally different (rockered tip instead of full rocker), but it is another great ski that charges. Worth a look...
would this be a good ski to ski every day...
Ryan Nisbet
Member since
would this be a good ski to ski every day all conditions in colorado and for my big mtn team practice and comps? Are you always charging on this ski or can you just relax on groomers with it to?
Mark Parrett
Member since
It is pretty easy to ski. Has the stiffness you need to charge for sure. The only question I would ask for big mountain comps is whether you want a fully rockered ski or not. I like a flattish tail for landing airs, but plenty of folks would like this ski for hucking their meat.
Ryan Nisbet
Member since
What would be another ski that would be good everyday and in big mtn comps that has a flatter tail?
Mark Parrett
Member since
I love the the Blizzard Cochise and the 4FRNT Turbo if you like the 107-110 waist profile. Black Diamond Zealots are an ever-popular choice although the newer Zealots are a touch less stiff. Atomic Blogs would also be worth consideration.
Trying to decide between Gotama or Shiro...
K Hughes
Member since
Trying to decide between Gotama or Shiro for Colorado skiing? My objective: To supplement my current tele, quiver (Salomon Sentinel) with a more front side powder day oriented ski, yet still have mid day post morning powder, skied off carvability! Thoughts/guidance anyone?
Mark Parrett
Member since
Tough choice because I like the Gotama for a daily driver and the full rocker profile means that it floats just fine despite the slimmer waist than most dedicated powder skis. If this is going to be a pow day ski, the Shiro is quite a bit fatter and still does pretty well on groomers. Neither ski is going to lay trenches like something with a bit of camber underfoot, but they will reward you when it gets deep. I've skied the Gotama for a season as my daily driver in Utah - if you're going to grab this ski for any time it has snowed, I'd do the Gotama. If you're only going for this ski when it is deeper (say 8+ inches?), get the Shiro. I have less time on the Shiro but think it's a blast. The only reason I don't have a pair is because I found the 183cm a touch short and the 193 a bit long for me. Can't go wrong either way!
Sorry, another length question. I am looking...
Kyle
Member since
Sorry, another length question. I am looking to step up from an old (2007, pre rocker) pair of 176 cm gotamas, and wondering if I should go 186 or 194? I am 6'1 and 180 lbs, and enjoy skiing very aggressively. I live in Bozeman, MT, and Bridger Bowl is home. Thanks!
Mark Parrett
Member since
Kyle you're big enough to handle the big sticks so it's going to be up to you. Bridger has the terrain where you can open up the 194s and let them fly. That being said, I have skied both and I'm partial to the 186 on all but the deepest of days. I like being able to spin or ski tighter terrain and don't see much loss in flotation on the shorter boards. If you just mach all day long, go with the 194s. If trees are often on the menu, 186.
Brian Campbell
Member since
194.....you will do fine in all terrain...remember the rocker skis shorter...
What length would you recommend for me?
I...
Wayne
Member since
What length would you recommend for me?
I was thinking of the 178cm but was wondering if this is too short.
I am 180cm, but fairly light at only 73kg.
Advanced, relatively aggressive skier, competent off-piste but still mastering my skills. Been skiing for 25 years, but only a few weeks each year, probably a level 8 skier.
Want the ski to ski mixed conditions, powder, crud, hardpack, slush, mostly off-piste with occasional short day touring.
Thanks for your help.
knanier
Member since
There are a few things to consider here. First is what you want this ski to do - If you're looking for a quiver ski - to do mixed conditions - then I would look to something slightly more narrow, and with a more traditional camber mixed with an early rise rocker. The Volkl Mantra comes to mind right away. Any ski with a rocker is going to ski shorter than its stated length, meaning if you do choose to go with this ski, you could probably get the 186 and ski it well. That being said, it really depends on where you ski, but form what you're describing, I'd take a look at the mantra or something along those lines. It would also work a little better for those occasional day tours, IMHO. Good luck.
Benny B
Member since
I'm 5'11" and 170lbs, so similar to your size, maybe slightly larger. I ski the 186cm and it's been great for just about any condition I've thrown it on. Definitely not too long for me, even in trees or moguled runs. Even on chunky/hard snow it's handled it well which is not what I was expecting. The rocker is more gradual on this ski so that makes it better in the bad conditions as more of the edge tends to contact the snow with these than those with extreme rocker. For touring, I'd rethink a big ski though as I'd go for something more narrow and lightweight than this, but everyone has their preference. For downhill performance, this is a tough one to beat.
How does the Mantra and Gotama compare in...
matp48265
Member since
How does the Mantra and Gotama compare in the bumps as far as quickness and forgiveness?
Wally Phillips
Member since
Hey matp48265,
Good to see another question. The Mantra tends to win this category as due to its narrower width is quicker edge to edge and is slightly more forgiving because of this, but the flex patterns of both are pretty similar. In the bumps, neither ski is optimal, but the Mantra once again wins out for the narrower waist allowing for quicker turn initiation and less edge to catch.
I have been skiing on the mantra (pre-tip...
matp48265
Member since
I have been skiing on the mantra (pre-tip rocker) and am planning on getting a new pair of something this year. Looking at the mantra again or the gotoma. I ski west about 15 days a year and enjoy steaps, crud and bumps. I am 47 and consider myself an aggressive skier (skies Corbets Coulier last year). Any thought between the two ski's?
Wally Phillips
Member since
Hey matp48265,
Thanks for the question. For your particular situation, it depends on whether you'll use these skis near your home area as it sounds like you make a yearly trip out West to ski. If you will be using these skis somewhere like the Northeast or similar, go with the Mantra as it will be well suited for both Eastern and Western skiing. If you will just be doing your skiing out West, go with the Gotama as there's no need to hold back the width of the ski if you are only skiing in the West and there is a noticeable float difference between the two skis.
Benny B
Member since
In Utah, this is my "all mountain" ski. For your out west trips, this is a great ski that covers the whole mountain and will handle any western style snow well. I wouldn't trade this ski for anything else out here. If you're skiing this back east or in the midwest, it will probably feel pretty overkill on runs that aren't as steep and have the midwest downhill hockey style snow. I used to ski a 90mm waist shaped ski in Wisconsin and that was even way overkill for that snow/hardpack/ice, so you might want to go with something more narrow if you can only pick one. The Mantra will definitely be a better in between ski, but the Gotama would totally slay it at a place like Jackson.
